Sludge suction system

Deep within the royal palace of Fengyu Kingdom, a piece of news spread like a spring breeze across a lake, creating ripples on the surface—the palace was about to hold a unique women's needlework competition, scheduled for the eighth day of the eleventh lunar month. This news quickly spread throughout the palace, becoming the focus of everyone's discussion.

The Empress herself presided over this needlework competition. As the head of the six palaces, the Empress had always emphasized the development of culture and talent within the harem. She hoped that this competition would showcase the intelligence and virtue of the women in the palace, while also adding warmth and vitality to the palace during the cold winter. To prepare for the competition, the Empress ordered the Imperial Household Department to make meticulous preparations well in advance, striving for perfection in everything from the arrangement of the competition venue to the procurement of various needlework tools.

The news of the competition filled the concubines with both excitement and nervousness. For them, this was not only an excellent opportunity to showcase their talents, but also a chance to impress the Empress and win her favor. Those concubines who were skilled in needlework were filled with anticipation, eager to try their hand at it, carefully selecting their treasured silk threads and embroidery patterns, intending to demonstrate their skills on the competition stage. Meanwhile, those concubines who were not so proficient in needlework hurriedly sought out embroiderers in the palace workshops, humbly seeking their guidance and practicing diligently day and night, hoping to achieve good results in the competition.

Besides the imperial concubines participating in the competition themselves, each palace could also select its best embroiderers to represent them. These embroiderers were all elites from the palace's embroidery workshops, who had spent years honing their skills there, possessing adept techniques and superb craftsmanship. Some were skilled in Suzhou embroidery, their needlework delicate, creating lifelike flowers, birds, fish, and insects; others were proficient in Hunan embroidery, their colors vibrant, their works rich in depth and three-dimensionality. Upon learning of the competition, they were equally enthusiastic and eager to try, hoping to win honor for their respective palaces.

To ensure a fair and professional competition, the Queen specially invited several highly respected and skilled needlework ladies to serve as judges. These ladies possess rich experience and profound expertise in needlework, and they will rigorously evaluate the entries from multiple aspects, including needlework techniques, color matching, and creative design.

As the eighth day of the eleventh lunar month drew ever closer, the atmosphere within the palace grew increasingly tense and excited. Palace maids busied themselves cleaning the competition area, hanging colorful ribbons, and setting up embroidery tables; eunuchs ran about, relaying messages to ensure that all preparations proceeded smoothly. This needlework competition, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, brought the entire palace to life, filling it with anticipation.

In the magnificent and ornate Phoenix Palace, the Empress sat regally on a carved rosewood chair, slowly turning the pages of an ancient book, but her mind was far from it. Her gaze frequently drifted to the window, as if she were waiting for something.

Just then, a light footstep sounded, and the head maid hurried in with small, quick steps. She first gave a proper bow, and then respectfully said, "Your Highness, did you summon me?"

The Empress gently closed the book in her hand, looked up at the head maid, a faint smile appearing on her lips, and said, "Aunt, do you still remember the stunning 'Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix' painting that amazed everyone at the Empress Dowager's birthday celebration?"

The head maid was slightly taken aback, then realized what she meant and quickly nodded, saying, "Of course I remember. The embroidery was exquisite and lifelike. It made the Empress Dowager very happy, and the whole harem was talking about it."

The Empress nodded slightly, her smile deepening: "I also like that embroidery."

A flicker of realization crossed the head maid's eyes, and she tentatively asked, "Your Highness, do you mean..."

The Empress stood up and paced slowly in the hall, her skirt swaying gently with her movements. "After much thought, I have decided to send Yunniang to represent me in this women's needlework competition. Her skills are superb, but more importantly, she is calm and reliable. She completed those two embroidery pieces so well, yet she didn't go around boasting or asking for credit. This shows she is a down-to-earth and honest person."

The head maid looked at her with approval and said, "Your Majesty has a discerning eye; Yunniang is indeed a rare talent. However, this needlework competition is full of experts, and everyone in the palace is eager to participate. We must make some preparations in advance."

The Empress walked to the window, gazing at the scenery outside, her eyes filled with determination: "I am well aware of this. Go and summon Yunniang; I want to speak with her personally. Tell her that this competition is a must-win situation. If she can win first place for our palace, I will reward her handsomely; if anything goes wrong, well, she should know the consequences."

The head maidservant quickly agreed and turned to carry out the task, but was stopped by the Empress. "Also, have her create an embroidery piece with the theme of 'Magnificent Mountains and Rivers,' one that not only highlights the magnificent landscape of my Phoenix Feather Kingdom but also showcases the majesty and glory of my royal family. Do you understand?"

"This servant understands, I'll go do it right away." The head maid accepted the order and quickly left.

The Empress sat back down in her chair, a hint of anticipation and determination flashing in her eyes. She knew all too well that this needlework competition was not just a simple contest of skills, but also an opportunity for various factions within the harem to secretly vie for power, and Yunniang was a crucial card in her hand.

Inside the embroidery workshop, the iridescent light of silk threads intertwined as Yunniang focused intently on her work, her needle flying across the fabric. The embroidery in her hands was beginning to take shape, the delicate stitches and ingenious composition showcasing her exquisite skill. Just then, a series of slightly hurried footsteps broke the tranquility of the workshop.

Yunniang looked up and saw the head embroiderer hurrying in. After scanning the embroidery workshop, her gaze fell on Yunniang. The head embroiderer walked straight towards Yunniang, and before she could speak, the surrounding embroiderers stopped their work and looked at her with curiosity.

"Yunniang, Her Majesty the Empress summons you. Please come with me." The head maid's tone was calm, but it carried an undeniable authority.

Yunniang was startled, and almost dropped the embroidery needle in her hand. She steadied herself, quickly put down her embroidery, straightened her clothes, and followed the head aunt out of the embroidery workshop. All the way, Yunniang's heart was pounding. She pondered the reason why the Empress had summoned her, but she couldn't figure it out.

Passing through long corridors and winding through exquisite gardens, Yunniang finally arrived at the Queen's palace. The palace gates were open, and Yunniang, led by the head maid, carefully entered. As soon as she stepped inside, Yunniang felt an atmosphere of solemnity and reverence; she instinctively lowered her head, not daring to look around.

"Yunniang greets Her Majesty the Empress." Yunniang performed the deep bow respectfully, her voice soft yet clear and strong.

"Rise," the Empress's voice came from above, unhurried and devoid of emotion.

Yunniang slowly rose, slightly raising her head, her gaze falling on the Empress's dignified face. The Empress sat in the main seat, her eyes scrutinizing Yunniang, a mixture of judgment and expectation in her gaze.

"Yunniang, I've heard that you have exceptional skills in the embroidery workshop. The 'Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix' for the Empress Dowager's birthday and the 'Phoenix Flying to the Sky' a few days ago were both embroidered by you?" the Empress asked.

Yunniang's heart tightened, and she quickly replied, "Your Majesty, it was indeed embroidered by this servant. Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. This servant was merely doing her duty."

The Empress nodded slightly, a satisfied smile appearing on her face: "Not bad, you're not only skilled, but also know how to be humble. Now the palace is holding a needlework competition, and I intend to have you represent me in the competition. Are you willing?"

Upon hearing this, Yunniang was both overjoyed and nervous. She hadn't expected the Empress to suddenly entrust her with such an important task, and for a moment she didn't know how to respond. After a moment, Yunniang came to her senses and hurriedly said, "Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty. This servant is willing to serve Your Majesty. However... this servant is worried that my abilities are limited and I may fail to live up to Your Majesty's expectations."

"You need not worry. Since I have chosen you, I believe in your abilities." The Empress looked at Yunniang with unwavering eyes. "For this competition, I require you to embroider a piece with the theme 'Magnificent Mountains and Rivers,' showcasing the magnificent landscapes and royal majesty of my Phoenix Feather Kingdom. Are you confident?"

Yunniang took a deep breath and mustered her courage to say, "Your Majesty, this servant will do her utmost to live up to Your Majesty's expectations."

The Empress smiled with satisfaction and said, "Very well, then prepare well. If you can win first place in the competition, I will reward you handsomely. But if anything goes wrong, you know the consequences."

"This servant understands and will certainly not disappoint Your Majesty." Yunniang bowed again, secretly vowing to do her utmost to complete the task assigned by the Empress.

Then, at the head maid's signal, Yunniang withdrew. After leaving the palace, Yunniang's heart was filled with unease. She knew she was about to face a major challenge, but she was also prepared to prove herself in this needlework competition.